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PARADISE — My dad used to do a lot of work projects for BYU-Hawaii. So, anytime my family traveled to Oahu when I was younger, we'd land at the airport in Honolulu and then head straight for the town of Laie, where the school is located.
I've always loved the North Shore. With its epic beaches, unique culture and amazing food, I could go there for every vacation from here to eternity and never tire of it.
But for more recent trips to Oahu, my wife and I have stayed in the Honolulu area to experience its landmarks and activities. The beaches there are perfect for my youngest kids. Especially during the winter season when the waves at many North Shore beaches are simply too intense for little ones (and sometimes even for adults).
There are too many excellent options to list, but here's a handful of our favorite spots in the Honolulu area:
1. Koko Crater Botanical Gardens
If you're looking for a place for your kids to get refreshed in nature and get their wiggles out, these beloved gardens are tough to beat. Koko Crater Botanical Gardens cover 60 acres and are nestled in a volcanic crater. You can wander around the trails admiring an array of native plants, as well as vibrant plants from around the globe. The gardens are open year-round and are 100% free to visit.
2. Bishop Museum
This award-winning museum was one of my kids' highlights of our most recent trip. It was founded in 1889 by Charles Reed Bishop to honor his late wife, Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, who was one of the last descendants of the royal Kamehameha family.
Due to the royal connection, the museum contains many heirlooms from the legendary Hawaiian family. It also boasts a massive collection of natural history specimens and cultural artifacts. My oldest son loved the shark and whale in the main exhibit hall, while my toddler couldn't get enough of the volcano display in the Science Adventure Center.
3. Magic Island Lagoon
To clarify, this lagoon isn't located on an actual island. It's a 47-acre peninsula right near the heart of the city of Honolulu. What makes the so-called island so great is that the lagoon is protected by seawalls and there are virtually no waves, so babies and toddlers can safely play in the water.
Be sure to bring your snorkel gear because there are tons of fish (and even green sea turtles) to be found along the seawalls. With the beautiful park directly behind the lagoon, this is an ideal place to have a picnic in the shade and then spend the afternoon enjoying the water.
4. 'Iolani Palace
Built in 1882, the palace was home to the Hawaiian Kingdom's final monarchs: King Kalākaua and his sister, Queen Liliʻuokalani. The gorgeous building is now a national historic landmark, and my kids were thrilled to visit its throne room, grand dining room and other sites.
5. Aloha Stadium Swap Meet
This well-known fleafmarket was born in 1979. Held in the parking lot surrounding the hulking Aloha Stadium, it features a wide array of souvenirs, clothing, jewelry and food. Many of the booths sell the same items, so if you find it too repetitive, head for the area where second-hand items are sold. It's a blast to sort through the antiques, vintage clothing and other treasures.
Family lodging in Honolulu
If you're a fan of short-term rentals, Honolulu offers some great options. Just make sure your rental is near the beach because traffic and parking can get frustrating in the city. As long as you have a few key destinations within walking distance, your family will be able to avoid snarls and enjoy things much more.
While my family has always preferred short-term rentals on our North Shore trips, we opt for hotels in Honolulu because they allow you to get next to some of the best beaches and also offer extra amenities my kids love. Our favorite hotel is the Prince Waikiki because the rooms are extremely comfortable, and even though it's in the middle of all the action, the place is quiet. Those two factors alone make it amazing for our toddler, who struggles to sleep when we're away from home.
The Ala Moana Center, the world's largest open-air mall, is just across the street from the Prince Waikiki. There are tons of great options in the mall's food court, so we usually eat there multiple times on our trips. Most of our other meals are at the Prince Waikiki, as their restaurants are also great.
I mentioned how much my family loved Magic Island Lagoon and that gem is just a short walk from Prince Waikiki, which is another reason we chose to stay there. But in that area of the city, you have lots of other solid options like the Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort, Hilton Hawaiian Village and Waikiki Banyan that get you near Waikiki Beach, which is one of the island's most ideal family beaches.
